Amazon KDP Select

KDP Select is a self-publishing programme within Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform. Authors can use KDP without joining Select, which allows them the freedom to publish with other organisations but denies them certain 'perks'.

Advantages

Borrows

Increased International Royalties

Books sold in Japan, India, Brazil and Mexico get the author a 70% royalty (otherwise 35%).

Price Drop Promotions

KDP Select give authors the opportunity to run a Kindle Countdown Deal, which allows them to temporarily reduce their book prices without dropping into a lower royalty bracket. It also allows authors to run five-day Free Book Promotions.

Disadvantages

Exclusivity limits your audience to people with Kindle and Kindle apps.

Exclusivity can weaken Amazon's competitors. Allowing one retailer to dominate the market is arguably bad for the industry in general.

Controversy

"How should indie authors respond? Horror might be a good start. Recognize that your long term interests are best served by enabling a vibrant and competitive global ebook retailing ecosystem to develop. Distribute your book to as many retailers as possible. A world of many ebook retailers, all working to attract readers to your books, is much preferable to a world where a single retailer dictates all the terms."